New Jersey launches anti-bias initiative
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division on Civil Rights announced the launch of the Community Peacemaker Collaborative, an initiative designed to respond to the rise in bias and hate in New Jersey, including the uptick in antisemitism and Islamophobia in recent months.
The Division’s Community Relations Unit received a $347,000, fouryear federal grant through the United States Department of Justice’s Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Program to fund the initiative.
The Community Peacemaker Collaborative will train local community members to deescalate conflict in response to bias incidents. It seeks to prevent and respond to bias incidents by training individuals across all 21 counties — including community and student leaders — on responding to bias incidents and conflict resolution techniques.
“In New Jersey, we will not stand idly by as the rise in bias and hate threatens the safety and security of our residents. Our diversity is our strength, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that all New Jerseyans can live without fear,” said Attorney General Platkin in a press release. “The Division on Civil Rights has worked hard to increase awareness of the harm caused by bias and hate incidents, to educate the public about ways to respond to these incidents when they do happen, and importantly, to implement strategies to prevent incidents from occurring in the first place. The initiative announced today builds on that important work, providing even more tools for us — and every New Jerseyan — to combat bias.”
Preliminary data from the New Jersey State Police shows there were 2,699 bias incidents reported in 2023, a 22 percent increase compared to 2022. Anti-Black and anti-Jewish bias remained the most common motivations. The increase underscores the importance of taking a multipronged approach to eradicating hate and bias in New Jersey.
“Hate tears at the fabric of our communities, and it makes our residents feel less safe. Unfortunately, in recent months, we have witnessed an alarming increase in bias incidents, and particularly in bias targeting our Jewish and Muslim communities,” said Sundeep Iyer, Director of the Division on Civil Rights. “So we must continue to develop innovative public education and enforcement strategies to protect New Jerseyans from bias and hate. We know that there is much more work to do to fight the rise in bias and hate across our state, and our office is committed to using every lever at our disposal — and working collaboratively with our law enforcement partners — as part of the fight.”
The Collaborative adds a new tool in the State’s efforts. Under Attorney General Platkin’s leadership, the Department has taken action including addressing bias incidents in schools, using civil and criminal enforcement, and public education and outreach.
The public can report bias incidents via the NJBIAS online portal, to local police, or by calling 800277-BIAS. Those interested in the Community Peacemaker Collaborative can contact the Community Relations Unit at communityrelations@njcivilrights.gov.